The next two days were a flood of activity as the Banner set up operations and slowly spread their control over the Red District. Under Suleisa’s command dozens of thieves and thugs were converted into effective enforcers in the name of the newly formed Purple syndicate. Using Rats connections, they gathered some people experienced in ‘protection activities’ as she put it, to take charge of the new recruits. Releasing them into the streets, the new Purple syndicate swept across the district, making sure that even the smallest of criminals knew that there was a new boss.

The fighting was fierce as rival gangs from nearby areas tried to expand their influence, and in an effort to make examples, roving squads of the Banner prowled the District, fiercely exterminating all threats. The streets were empty, terrified citizens staying in their homes as dozens of gang members corpses were strung up at the gates to the District as a warning.

The Guard sent forays into the area but had little chance to gain purchase as the Banner just seemed to melt away from their troops, leaving the enemies they were fighting behind to be arrested. Dozens of criminals were hauled away and Corporal Ghent received a commendation from the government for keeping the streets clean.

By the second day the fighting had cleared up and the District started returning to its normal activities, Hawkers calling their wares and bars flowing with liquor once again. Reopening the Brothels that they’d taken over, the Purple syndicate started operating the Fiendhand’s businesses once more, albeit with stern faced thugs wearing large violet colored armbands.

With things back to normal, or as normal as can be expected in a semi-legal area of the city, Orchids group returned to their main target, the ancient repository supposedly under their new headquarters. During Orchids convalescence, the Professor spent his time studying the basement after it was cleaned of the Church of Silvers activities.

“The basement seems to have been built over the repository.” He explained as they ate dinner, sitting in Black Eyes old office. “I tore the floor out and dug down almost 15 feet before I hit the repository. It’s made of a black metallic material which I think is Ardite Steel. Just the amount that I could see would be enough for us to become massively wealthy, but even if we could get past the formations that are inscribed on it, there’s no one these days who knows how to process it in any case, so we wouldn’t be able to shift it. Still there are pretty big shards that have come off, possibly due to age, but I’m loathe to sell them, maybe we can find some use for it.”

He considered for a while as he placed shards on the desk for the rest to study.

“After excavating the area, I found the entrance and used the methods as described in the scroll to open it. I went through and found myself in a large hall. There’s something strange about it though, so I took some of the Banner across the street and dug down to the same level but there was nothing so I can determine that its larger inside than it is outside. Whether its spatial compression or something else, I don’t know. I took Anna with me and we wandered around inside and it doesn’t look like there are any defenses, but to be safe we haven’t touched anything and once we all go down and check thoroughly then we’ll start acquiring the goods.”

The Professor smiled.

“As to what those goods are. We’re in luck. There’s a store room filled with a large variety of raw materials and some Green and even Blue crystals. Some weapons that I think are of a standard type are placed in another store, and there are also strange items there that I can only assume are weapons since they’re stored the same way. There’s also a room with miscellaneous items of all sorts and a store filled to the brim with provisions of all kinds. Greatest of all for you and me, little Purple, is the library. I’m itching to see what they’ve left behind.”

The Professor was almost hopping out of his chair as he concluded his explanation. Even Rat was looking excited at the thought of so much treasure and crystals waiting for them downstairs.

“Once we finish eating we’ll head down.” Orchid said as he looked outside to check the time. He hadn’t eaten much, his plate only half-finished.

“Is something bothering you Lord Purple?” Rat snickered.

Pulling a face at her he insisted. “Don’t call me that. It’s a foolish name. Also, blindingly obvious, it’s like I’m painting a target on my back.” He gestured at her with his fork. “I was remembering the first time we met, actually.”

“It’s been 3 years and you still haven’t caught me.” Rats laughter was light and musical. Whenever she laughed it had an almost magical effect on her surroundings, easing the atmosphere, possibly because it was so rare to hear. Orchid leaned back in his chair and shot a glance at the Professor. Playing with his fork he spun it around his fingers as he considered Rats past. “It’s difficult to catch someone as elusive as you, and it’s not like my offer was so bad.”

He smirked in Rocks direction and added. “Plus, there would be many… benefits… in joining us.”

Rat started to blush softly as she understood his intent. “You know my principles Orchid. If you can’t catch me, you can’t order me around.”

Sighing, Orchid hung his head. Staring at the floorboards, he traced the woodgrains with his eyes while biding his time.

Looking up to see Rat chatting with Rock he flung the fork in his hand at her, whipping his arm forwards.

The Professor lashed out with whips of light attempting to entangle her.

Orchid was already reaching forward, grabbing at her shoulder.

As all three attacks struck, her figure dissipated like vanishing smoke.

“Still not enough little Purple.” Rat giggled as she stepped out of the shadows in the corner of the room. Retrieving his fork, Orchid saw Rock stroking his moustache with pride at Rats actions.

They’re basically head over heels for each other. Why can’t either of them take the last step? Anna’s been prodding them both to do that in the last few days.

The Professor shrugged in defeat and went back to eating.

After they finished eating they prepared and headed down into the basement.

Tapping the black surface that was the repository Orchid studied the glyphs that were inscribed into it. Walking from one end to the other he pulsed streams of mana gently to probe the material.

“It’s definitely got some space glyphs. Compression is almost certain inside. As for the material, no clue, Rock?”

“I can feel iron, it’s a type of steel. Can’t confirm what type.” Rock was on his knees, palms flat against the metal.

“Rat, check the entrance just in case the Professor missed something. Anna, keep your eyes open. Professor you placed all the devices I asked you to?” Orchid wanted confirmation before they proceeded.

“It’s set up just like you described.” The Professor nodded as he stepped away from the entrance to let the Rat replace him.

“I’m activating them so don’t get distracted by the mana fluctuations as it calibrates.” Glancing at the Rat he licked his lips and started to channel mana to activate the devices around them.

The various devices around the room thrummed with power and sent pulses of mana haphazardly throughout the basement. Anna stepped back up to the basement to avoid the magic and The Professor sat down near the Rat as she was studying the entrance. Rock frowned as the mana pulses increased in intensity, causing them all to feel a little dizzy.

The intensity suddenly spiked making Orchids head spin. They all fell to the floor the dizziness becoming unbearable.

“Orchid! What’s happening?” Rat shouted.

Gritting his teeth, Orchid continued to channel mana and watched in satisfaction as glowing chains of light burst from the walls and screamed towards the Rat.

Caught by surprise she was unable to do anything before she was caught by the chains. Her arms and legs wrapped tightly.

The room started to flare as Glyphs came alive from all the devices and they Blinked.

Appearing on the ground floor in a haze of vertigo the Rat started to channel mana the second she was out of the influence of the pulsing mana devices, but before she could do anything the Professors hand came to rest on her shoulder. She shuddered and the mana she had collected vanished.

“What are you doing Orchid?” She hissed as she struggled to move.

Staggering over to her, Orchid leaned over and gently tapped her nose. “Caught you!” He breathed before sitting heavily.

Eyes wide in surprise she screamed. “You! Are you always scheming?” Orchid didn’t reply, just struggling to breathe and smirking as poor Rocks expression shifted from confusion into a sort of surprised understanding.

Laughing suddenly in frustration Rat drummed her heels against the floor.

“I hate you so much Orchid. So much. Who does something like that while investigating an ancient repository?” Venting her rage, she flopped to the floor, a gentle expression floating on her face. “You won. Fairly. So, very well I offer you my services. Now release me so I can cut you a little.”

How terrifying it is that she can say that while looking so innocent.

Orchids smile vanished. “That’s not all Liz, there’s something else that has to be done.”

Looking at him in confusion she sat up.

“What’s going on Orchid, what are you waiting for?”

“He’s waiting for me kid. She doesn’t look so impressive Flowerboy.” A gravelly voice came from the door.

“She’s caught Colonel.” Orchid and his friends saluted as a uniformed man marched in.

“Well, let her go! I don’t have much time to test her.” The colonel rasped brusquely.

“Sorry for this Liz, we’ve all had to go through this. Things will be better later.” Orchid released the magical chains and the Professor hopped away from her.

“What is this?” She stammered backing away from them and starting to blur into shadows.

“Interesting. Don’t disappoint me child, I’ll have overtime today because of you.” Pointing his palm to his right a burst of mana was released with blazing speed and the Rat reappeared in that direction, hunched over and coughing up drops of blood.

Gazing at the colonel in horror she started to fade out once more while pulling out her short sword.

* * * * * *

Boot firmly planted in the Rats back, the colonel had her pinned to the floor with one arm twisted painfully, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

The fight had been painfully one sided, the colonel always knowing where Rat vanished to and hurling her from her hiding spots with blasts of mana. Being tossed around the room she had never given up, but eventually ran out of energy and that had led to her current position.

“Good. Your friends didn’t inflate your capabilities. You passed.”

“What did I pass?” She grunted in pain.

Ignoring her, the colonel closed his eyes and cast a spell.

The light dimmed and with a rush of sound her sleeve burst. Mana condensed into a red disk around the colonel’s hand before he pointed at the Rat.

The magic rushed along his finger and drilled into her arm.

She howled in pain.

After a short while her shouts faded and a blazing red forked lightning symbol appeared on her shoulder.

“Congratulations Lizbet Atten. Welcome to the military branch of the Academy. Don’t be late on the first day of next month. Theses brats can explain everything you need to know.”

After his words, he turned on his heel and trooped out, each step accompanying a dimming in the brand on her shoulder.

“Now you can accompany Rock all the time Liz.” Orchid muttered as he faced her tear stained face.

This was the right thing to do. For her. For both of them. For me. It was the right thing.

Trying to convince himself as he saw Rock helping her shaky figure up, Orchid refused to look away from the girl he had just betrayed.